Chapter 23: Saruman Defeated

Two days passed. While Eowyn, hesitantly, led the people back to Rohan, Gandalf, Eomer, Theoden, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, with a band of men, head for Isengard to speak with Saruman.

"It isn't gonna wor-rk," Sauron's voice crooned.

Don't you have anything better to do than torment me?

"No."

Sauron…

"Hermione."

You are not Hermione.

"Wha…Harry…"

Those are shadows of the past, Sauron. We haven't been known as the Golden Trio in four…maybe five centuries. These people have forgotten about the Trio.

There was a pause. For a moment, Gandalf thought she had finally left him in peace.

"We haven't. Remember when we went to save Sirius on top of Buckbeak."

WHY ARE YOU TORMENTING ME?!

"Because it's fun."

Sauron, leave me be.

"Not unless you talk to me. I'm getting bored with just these stupid Orcs to talk to."

What about Morgoth?

"He vanished after my body was destroyed. No one has seen him since."

Good riddance.

"How can you be so cruel?" She did sound a little hurt by his comment. "Even if he did lead me down a path you don't approve of, he was still my pet…and my mentor."

Why couldn't Dumbledore be your mentor?

She was silent, but Gandalf still felt her presence. "I'd rather not talk about it."

She left. Gandalf wondered what she meant by that. He knew that if that was the case, then it was definitely time for Harry Potter and Hermione Granger to cross paths once again…as the friends they once were.

Isengard loomed over them and they entered. Two small figures called to them and one stood.

"Welcome," Merry said grandly. "My Lords, to Isengard!"

Gimli looked rather red when he noticed the delicious food in their hands, which they chewed on.

"You rascals! You led us on a wild goose chase and we finally find you feasting and…and…SMOKING!!!"

Pippin and Merry looked at each other knowingly and turned back to him.

"We are feasting on a field of victory, enjoying some well deserved gifts from Saruman

himself," Pippin lamented matter-of-factly. "And…this salted pork is especially good."

Gimli's eyes glazed over. "Salted pork?"

As much as Gandalf wanted to laugh at that, he held his tongue and urged Shadowfax forward.

"Don't let your ears be deceived by Saruman. He can trick even the wisest man into doing his bidding by just talking to them."

"Where does he get his power?" Eomer asked.

"From the Dark Lord, Sauron," Gandalf answered.

"Sharper than you used to be."

It was obvious.

She was gone…hopefully for a longer time than twenty minutes. Pity. Gandalf wanted to pursue why she wouldn't answer him on why she didn't choose to look up to Dumbledore.

Oh well. There were more pressing matters to attend to at the moment.

"Merry, Pippen, where is Saruman?"

"In his tower, locked away with something called a Wormtongue. Isengard is now in the hands of Treebeard the Ent."

As if on queue, Treebeard strode over. "Hoo-hum…Master Gandalf…what brings you here to Isengard."

"We would like to speak to Draco Malfoy, otherwise Saruman."

"Draco Malfoy is his Christen name is it?"

"May we see him?"

Yes." That said, Gandalf entered the tower with the group along with him. Saruman greeted them at the top.

"Welcome, Theoden King. Why do you come here now to take down an old troubled man?"

"Don't listen to him," Gandalf hissed. But the soldiers were already falling into Saruman's trap.

"Can we be allies as we once were?"

"As if we'd fall for such a lie!" Gimli shouted. The glimmer in Saruman's eyes dimmed a bit.

"Malfoy," Gandalf growled. "How long has it been since you actually listened to reason?"

"Don't toy with me, Potter," Saruman spat. "Sauron has worked miracles!"

"Sauron poisoned your mind! She always said you were a…what was it again…ah yes! 'Twitchy little ferret.'"

Saruman's face paled and his face distorted. "You still remember that?!"

"How could I not? That was Ron's favorite school event: Draco Malfoy, the Amazing Bouncing Ferret! I wonder if you would still turn into one though."

"Oh, really. Well, you haven't changed much at all either, Saint Potter! Always doing Dumbledore's dirty work."

"How childish!"

"Not as childish as the ferret insult!"

"That is simple truth!!"

"Oh…this is good!"

"SHUT UP!!" They both shouted in unison. Her voice snickered into a loud cackle.

They paused and looked at each other. "You can hear her too?" Saruman asked, looking quite bewildered.

"No, I hear Moody shouting 'Constant Vigilance.' OF COURSE I HEAR HER, MALFOY!"

"Erm…Gandalf?"

"What?" Gandalf snapped. Pippin hid behind Aragorn (AN: poor Pippin! Sniff). "I'm sorry, my dear boy. What is it?"

"I don't see where this is going."

"He does have a point. It's almost like you were just looking for a duel of some kind."

"Men."

You cause wars. My causing a fight with Malfoy is—

"Completely Ron-like."

Goodbye, Sauron.

"Alright," Gandalf turned back to Saruman. "Tell us what you know. What is Sauron's next move?"

Saruman smirked. "I have seen it. It is the plan that will end in the demise of you and your company."

"Malfoy…"

"Silence, Potter."

Gandalf debated whether to string Saruman up by the ears or to forgive him. But in light of the situation, it would be best if they made an alliance. "As strange as it sounds, Saruman, I do not wish to kill you, or hurt you, as you would know, if you really understood me. And I have the power to protect you. I am giving you a last chance. You can leave Orthanc, free—if you choose."

"That sounds well," Saruman scoffed. "Very much in the manner of Gandalf the Grey: so condescending, and so very kind. I do not doubt that you would find Orthanc commodious, and my departure convinient. But why should I wish to leave? And what do you mean by 'free'? There are conditions, I presume?"

"Reasons for leaving you can see from your windows," answered Gandalf. "Others will occur to your thought. Your servants are destroyed and scattered; your neighbors you have made your enemies; and you have cheated your new master, or tried to do so. But when I say 'free,' I mean 'free': free from bond, of chain or command: to go where you will, even…even to Mordor, Saruman, if you desire. But you will first surrender to me the key of Orthanc, and your staff. They shall be pledges of your conduct, to be returned later…if you merit them."

Saruman looked as though he was about to burst. He began to shout at Gandalf furiously, as if he was robbing him of his most prized possessions. He turned to leave.

"Saruman, get back here! I have not said you could go!" This did not stop Saruman completely, but he did turn back, giving Gandalf a scathing look. "Behold, I am not Gandalf the Grey, whom you betrayed. I am Gandalf the White, who has returned from death. You have no color now, and I cast you from the order and from the council. Saruman, your staff is broken."

As if on queue, the staff in the other wizard's hands shattered and Saruman fell backwards, stunned.

"Potter!!!"

"What? I have done what you would have done to any other traitor of the Order."

Saruman stomped off. The group turned to go and as they headed away, something nearly hit Gandalf's head and Shadowfax started.

While Gandalf tried to figure out what had happened, Pippin descended from the horse's back and picked up the ball to exampine it.

"Pippin," Gandalf addressed. "May I have that, lad?" Pippin reluctantly handed the ball over to Gandalf and climbed back onto the steed. Just moments later, there was a shrill shreik and Gandalf couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well…it doesn't seem like anything's going right for Saruman lately. Aah. Just like it used to be at Hogwarts."

"So long as you don't start singing the school theme song, I'm alright."

Go. Away.


So…the underlined text are dirrect quotes from the LotR: 2 Towers (book version). Just wanted to clear that up, although you may have already figured that out.